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What is the IWC, or International Whaling Commission?

The IWC is the body that regulates whaling and ultimately decides what happens to whales.

Talking points

The IWC was set up in 1946

It currently has 88 members

It agreed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982 to come into force in 1985/86

What does the International Whaling Commission do?

The IWC is the decision making body of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. The various governments that are members of the IWC make their decisions through its various meetings and committees, using the IWC secretariat to help manage their discussions and decision making.

The IWC website states that, "The main duty of the IWC is to keep under review and revise as necessary the measures laid down in the Schedule to the Convention which govern the conduct of whaling throughout the world."

How does WDC work within the IWC?

WDC attends the meeting to provide scientific, legal and conservation expertise to government delegates. We work with member nations to equip them with the knowledge and evidence they need to make informed decisions.

66th Meeting of the IWC - 2016

Who make up the membership of the IWC?

The IWC does allow observers to attend most of its meetings. These observers can be made up of countries that are not members of the IWC, the press and non-governmental organisations and charities such as WDC.

When does the Commission meet?

Until 2012, the full IWC met annually, but since 2012 it meets every two years. Its subcommittees and working groups can meet more regularly as required.

How does the Commission work?

The Commission has four main committees - Scientific, Technical, Finance and Administration and its most recent committee, the Conservation Committee which was created in 2004.

There are also Commission subcommittees that deal with aboriginal subsistence whaling, infractions (breaking of regulations) and other ad hoc working groups to deal with a wide range of issues.

What is the Scientific Committee?

The Scientific Committee comprises around 200 whale biologists and scientists many of whom are nominated by member governments. For example, the pro-whaling countries tend to send large delegations of government sponsored scientists to put forward their government's position.

In recent years the Scientific Committee has invited other scientists to supplement its expertise in various areas. The work of the Scientific Committee is largely determined by the scientific needs of the Commission. The pro-whaling interests regularly attempt to narrow this down to only delivering recommendations on whaling quotas, but the wider pro-conservation membership often seeks to ensure that the Scientific Committee is looking at issues that affect the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins.

For example, whilst Iceland, Japan, Norway and their allies claim that the IWC has no competency to discuss small whales and dolphins, the IWC Scientific Committee has been able to do some remarkably useful work in this area.

I keep hearing that the IWC is dysfunctional?

The IWC is not dysfunctional. The only people who want you to believe its dysfunctional are the pro-whaling interests who are unhappy with the moratorium on commercial whaling.

Despite the best efforts of the pro-whalers, the IWC has still been able to consider conservation issues in the last few years, including the impacts of marine debris and climate change on whales and dolphins.